Remedies for Tail Rubbing.
Idle, overfed, and insufficiently groomed horses often persistently rub their manes and tails to allay itchiness of the skin, induced by collections of dandruff which have escaped the curry-comb and brush. The hair on the root of the tail soon becomes harsh, stubby and stands on end so that the part becomes an eyesore, and especially so when continued rubbing has produced sores, cracks and an exudate of serum, blood or pus.
A Virginia horseman once advised the writer that tail rubbing could quickly be cured if, at the outset, the following simple plan of treatment be adopted: Twist a lock of the upright hair of the affected part around the second finger, and then pull until the skin “gives” with a cracking sound. Repeat the pulling, lock by lock, until all of the part has been treated when the rubbing will cease. If it does not do so promptly, repeat the treatment as required. This plan is known also in Scotland.
Another horseman advised that when a mare persistently rubs her tail the cause may be a collection of filth about the udder; a thorough washing with castile soap will end the trouble.
Dealers who handle fine carriage horses and are preparing such animals for sale put each in a box stall during the feeding process and prevent tail rubbing by putting a wide plank shelf-wise on brackets around the inside of the walls of the box. When the horse attempts to rub, the edge of the plank will strike several inches below the itching part, and so make tail rubbing impossible. Another effective plan of prevention is to put a wainscot of boards upon the lower part of the walls so slanted outward at the floor surface that the horse backing to the wall cannot get his rump against any surface upon which to rub.